GE's situation is a result of poor management and not related to economy BUT take notice that as the rest of the world embraces renewable power and carbon reductions the USA is in total denial. Poor decisions within our government to take the lead in the next "Climate Friendly" industrial revolution will be a major facet of our next recession. GE is becoming the face of a reality quickly coming to the USA. Also...no one is talking about the countries that are not being impacted here (Asia, Mid-East)...cheap labor and land keeps costs low and fossil demand still high.
I've just read this on GE Power board here ( @QC8DHMt-emb ), couldn't agree more.